A good schedule for taking your medication on a regular basis can make your medication much more effective, and you can also avoid the risks caused by taking multiple doses of medication or missing doses of medication that should be taken. Find a reminder that works for you, and stick with it. Follow a system long enough to form a habit, and you'll forget to take your medication less often.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Understanding Medicine
Step 1. Ask your doctor about how to take the medicine
In order to be proactive in taking your medication, you must understand what medication you are taking and why you are taking it. Ask your doctor about these things when your medication is prescribed and make sure that you understand the correct rules for taking it.
- Be well aware of what is being treated and how each medication affects your mind and body. Do not passively accept prescription drugs. Ask your doctor about the effects of the drug.
- Ask your doctor about the side effects of the medication. You should always know the side effects caused so that you can monitor the treatment process and know when it is right to stop using it.
- Ask the doctor how to take the medicine. Some medications must be taken with plenty of water. Some medications must be taken with food. Some medications have to be taken once a day, while others have to be taken several times a day. Make sure that you know how to take the right medication to get the best results.
Step 2. Understand what to do if you miss a dose
Even if you try your best, there's a good chance you'll miss a dose at a time. This happens to even the most alert people, and there are different procedures for different types of medication. Sometimes, you have to double the dose of the medicine the next day. For other types of drugs, you may just need to continue the treatment process at regular doses and be aware of the possibility of side effects. Make sure you know what to do if you miss a dose of medicine.
Step 3. Make sure that you know how to store the medicine properly
Each type of drug must be stored in a different way. Usually, the drug storage instructions are printed on the bottle. Ask your doctor about how to store your medicine if you have any questions.
- Certain types of drugs, such as birth control drugs, must be taken every day, and there are also several types of drugs that must be taken at the same time. You may feel like keeping your medication within reach by keeping it in your bag or purse, but first make sure that your bag or purse is safe. Occasionally, medications must be stored at room temperature and will become more ineffective if exposed to intense heat or cold.
- Medicines may need to be stored at a certain temperature, which means they may need to be stored in the refrigerator or in a cool room in the house. Make sure that you know the appropriate temperature for storing the medicine.
Part 2 of 3: Setting Physical Reminders
Step 1. Use the pillbox
A pillbox is a storage device that is sold at most drug stores and convenience stores. The pillbox can be an excellent tool for monitoring the type of medication you need and also when to take it.
- The pillbox has several compartments to store the daily rations of medicine for the week. At the beginning of the week, divide your pill into the required doses. Enter the dose of medicine in the pill box, on the appropriate day when the medicine needs to be taken.
- Pill boxes are great if you need to schedule time to take several different medications on their respective schedules. Just put different drugs in different sections, according to the day the medication is supposed to be taken in one week.
Step 2. Put the reminder in a visible place
Place reminders throughout your home, in places you'll see them often.
- Get a calendar. Large calendars are sold at most drugstores and department stores. You can write a schedule for taking medication in the calendar. Some calendars are sold with magnets to attach to the refrigerator, so you'll see a reminder every time you want to eat something.
- Sticky notes can also be a very good thing. You can buy it from a convenience store or printing shop. Write down times when you need to take medication. Post notes in places you're sure to see them in one day, such as near a coffee pot, bathroom mirror, or front door.
- Notes written on paper or index cards can also be useful tools. These notes can be used in a similar way to sticky notes. If you usually work at a desk, having an index card with a schedule for taking medication near your computer can be a good reminder.
Step 3. Try to incorporate medication time into your daily activities
You'll be more likely to remember when to take your medication if you can make it a part of your routine. Adding medication time to an existing routine can be a great reminder.
- Try to take the medication at the same time as you do other daily activities. For example, take medication before brushing your teeth. If any medication must be taken with food, make sure that you take it with you at breakfast or lunch.
- Many people incorporate self-care habits into their daily routine. Self-care is a simple daily activity that is used to relax and think deeply. For example, you can do this by drinking hot tea, walking around the housing block, then taking a shower to rest your body. If you do self-care every day, try taking a pill before or after doing it.
Step 4. Ask a family member or friend to remind you
Friends and family members also care about your health. Having a trusted friend or family member to remind you to take your medication can be very useful.
- Choose a non-judgmental or positive person. Don't pick a person who will be rude when you forget to take your medicine. Choose people you know have a good attitude.
- If you live with someone, it's easy for that person to remind you every day. However, if you don't live with someone else, you can ask someone to send you a text message or phone call as a reminder.
Part 3 of 3: Leveraging Technology
Step 1. Install an electronic reminder
You can use technology to remind yourself to take your medication. Try setting a reminder using your watch, wall clock, phone, or computer.
- Most modern phones and computers have systems in which you can set reminders. If you're not sure how to use your phone or computer to set reminders, you can google for instructions. You can set a song or an alarm to sound when you need to take your medication.
- If you have an alarm clock, you can set it to sound at a certain time each day to remind you to take your medicine. Most digital watches also come with an alarm that can vibrate or sound at certain hours you set during the day.
Step 2. Use an online electronic schedule to remind you when to take your medication
There are many electronic schedules to remind you when to take your medication that you can install using the internet. In fact, in general the internet can provide a lot of tools that support the treatment process.
- Daily emails or other reminders will be sent via the online server. There are also many websites that create automatic timetables for taking your medication, where you can enter the name of the medication, how often you should take it, and the dosage. The schedule can be accessed online or printed for your reference.
- You can also access forums or groups on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media sites where you can discuss treatment and problems you and other patients have. While sites like these are no substitute for medical advice, they are great places for you to get emotional support as well as tips for remembering when to take your medication.
Step 3. Sign up for a reminder service based on text messages, calls, or emails
You can find many websites online where you can enter your cell phone number or email address, as well as information about your schedule for taking your medication. You can use this information to send text messages, phone calls, or emails that will remind you to take your medication. You may be charged a small fee, depending on the service used. Try to ask your health care provider about this. Some hospitals provide free reminders for their patients.
Tips
- When traveling, keep the medication along with the instructions. This way, someone else can help you in an emergency.
- When writing reminders on your calendar or creating electronic reminders, be aware that other people may see them. If you are embarrassed because you are on a certain medication, you can use certain codes to remind yourself.
- Visual reminders are easy to ignore once you get used to them. Consider changing your calendar or replacing sticky notes with a different color each month.
Warning
- If you forget to take a dose of medicine, read the instructions on the medicine package carefully. Depending on the type of medication and the time of day, you may have to take the missed dose or wait until it's time to take your next dose.
- Some drugs have a 'black box warning'. This means that when drugs are taken in an improper manner, or by people who are under certain conditions, a fatal situation may occur. Store such medications in a safe place, then call your doctor immediately if you accidentally take more than the prescribed dose.
- The drug is included in a class of controlled substances so it must be stored in a closed container.
- Keep medicines out of reach of children and pets.
